Subtext ~ Isn't subtext here, it's the real thing here. All maintext. If you can't handle that sorta thing, I feel sorry for you. Just go check out another one of them stories that's general.

Emotional ~ I'll tell y'all this is planned to be emotional. Don't think it'll be like Titanic thing, but it's doing the whole emotional thing.

Copyright ~ Lets see, Universal and MCA both own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Dahak, Hope, Joxer, Ephiny, Amarice other Amazons. But I own Masika, Gabrielle's horse Torqueo, Teresa, Aster, Logos, and Rodhiya. So don't take my characters or story line, otherwise you'll have a life worth of bad luck.

Note ~ This is fast forward in the seasons compare to the rest of my stories. I think everybody can figure out relatively where I set it. The only thing is, there's two… three differences to the season I'm on. I think you'll be able to figure them out too, real fast.

Started: March 12th 2000 on Sunday

Series: The Binding of the Soulmates of Time Story: Seven

If anybody has comments about my story please let me know at:

redhope@redhope.net

Part 6

Section 6

~*Part 18*~

Quickly she ducked as a sword breezed by her head. She then jumped back and spun her sais in her hands and a grin crossed her lips. Next to follow were a number of rapid attacks with the butt end of her sais striking her opponent on the sides and arms. Then she pulled back with her same grin and she saw the affect she had on her opponent. Her opponent was scared and only circled her not attacking.

Yes this was just perfect for this small woman. This challenge she was winning it and it would only build her confidence for later challenges. That is something one of the onlookers off to the side of the challenge thought and knew from experience. That onlooker had to grin herself and cross her arms against her chest and continue to observe the fight going on.

Gabrielle flipped her right sai out to let her opponent's sword get caught up in the forks of her sai. Then with her left sai the small woman attacked her opponent in the stomach with three good blows. The opponent stepped back coughing. Gabrielle grinned and quickly ran towards her opponent and stopped once close enough to do a fast round house kick at her opponent. Her opponent went flying hard onto their back with a large groan, their sword rolled out of their hand into the dust of the sparring field. Gabrielle's opponent? Queen Parvulus. Queen Parvulus of the Northwest Nation defeated by Queen Gabrielle of the Central Nation.

Slowly Queen Parvulus stood up and gazed at Gabrielle. "Nice fight."

Gabrielle smiled. "Thanks, you did well." She then bent down to sheath her sais on the sides of her boots. Then reaching forward she collected the Northwest Queen's sword and stood up. Neatly she handed the sword back to the Queen.

Parvulus took her sword back and easily sheathed it. "Well I'd say I'd done better if I'd won." She grinned.

The small warrior chuckled. "It happens." She then reach forward, holding her right hand out.

Queen Parvulus took the offered hand and shook then bowed her head.

They released each other's hands and walked off the sparring field. Parvulus went one way while Gabrielle went another way.

"Good job."

Gabrielle smiled as she lifted her head up to her Soulmate. "Thanks." She then sighed. "One down eight to go."

The warrior grinned. "Don't worry."

Ephiny then came ambling up beside the pair in the middle of the small crowd of Amazons. "Gabrielle?"

The Queen turned her head to her regent. "Yeah?"

"You have about… a candlemark till your next challenge." The regent then gazed up from the scroll she was holding. She then smiled. "Good job against Parvulus."

Gabrielle smiled. "Thanks." She then sighed. "They're doing lunch right now right?"

The regent nodded. "Yeah, go get something to eat. But eat lightly for your next challenge."

The small warrior grinned. "Yes mom."

"Now don't start that AQ." Ephiny then rolled her scroll up and held it in her right hand with her quill. She shook it at Gabrielle. "Don't be late and your challenge is on this sparring field again."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Yes Ma'am."

The regent sighed and stomped off.

The Queen chuckled and glanced back up to Xena. "You hungry?"

Xena shrugged her shoulders. "I could go for something." She smiled. "Come on."

The Soulmates trekked out of the Amazon Camp and went into the village. They entered into the dinning hut and collected some food to sit down at a table together and alone.

Gabrielle lifted her eyes from her food to Xena. "You think I'm still reacting slow?"

The warrior sighed as she considered the question and her partner's fighting earlier. "Yes."

The Queen nodded sadly and stared down at her bowl of fruit. "Am I faster or slower then last time?"

"About the same."

The small woman sighed. "What you think it is?"

Xena looked up from her plate of food. "You're not eating properly."

Gabrielle arched an eyebrow. "Xena, I'm eating a bowl of fruit. How could it be that?"

"You maybe eating health but doesn't mean you're eating properly." The warrior studied the fruit. "You get your vitamins and acids from the fruit." She then gazed up to Gabrielle. "But you need protein and fiber… minerals… anything to give you energy."

The Queen knitted her eyebrows together. "But I eat all the fruits, vegetables, meats, and other stuff."

"Gabrielle it isn't a question of what right now. It's a question of how much." The warrior locked eyes with her best friend knowing she'd caught Gabrielle on that one.

The young woman looked up to lock eyes and felt wrong so her eyes lowered. "I don't know what it is."

Xena still studied her partner as she thought. "Nothing emotional?"

Quickly the small warrior lifted her head back up. "No, it's… it's not like I'm sitting here thinking that I need to lose weight or anything." She sighed.

"Physical?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "I don't feel odd." She paused. "And I don't even feel like I'm slow when I fight."

The warrior nodded. "And you never feel hungry do you?"

The Amazon Queen shook her head. "Not like I use to since… well since we've came here." She gazed down at the fruit then back up to the warrior. "Not stress either."

"Mmm, it's something physical then." Xena started to eat again. "If it is physical it'll makes itself apparent soon."

Gabrielle huffed. "Great."

Xena's left hand quickly came up to the table and reached across to Gabrielle's left hand that was grasping her bowl. She locked eyes with Gabrielle again. "You'll be fine okay?" The young woman nodded and Xena smiled. "It's nothing too big I think." She squeezed her Soulmate's hand. Slowly she pulled her hand away but let her finger tips turn Gabrielle's engagement and wedding ring then her hand came back to her own side.

Gabrielle chuckled in reaction and gazed down at the rings for a moment. Both rings sparkled and twinkled up to her with happiness. A warm smile creased the woman's lips as she lifted her head back to Xena. "Sorry… I know I was a little snippy there."

The older woman nodded. "Same here. I'm just worried about this."

"I know." The small warrior smiled. "Thanks for looking after me."

Xena smiled warmly. "Always." She then went serious. "Speaking of which, lets go to the hut real fast."

Gabrielle nodded and stood up simultaneously with Xena. The pair rid themselves of their plates and food then trekked to the hut together. Once inside the warrior went milling through the saddlebags and found what she was looking for. Gabrielle stood off to the side watching in wonderment.

Xena stood up and walked over to Gabrielle. She held out her hands to her Soulmate. "Extra protection, can't forget."

The younger woman glanced down into the other woman's hands to see her silver dagger with the interrogate ivy design in its sheath. Gabrielle looked back up. "Xena…. I don't… none of the Queens will try to kill me."

The warrior's left hand came up to grasp her partner's closest shoulder tightly. Her cobalt eyes were serious. "Gabrielle I'm not taking risks." She paused as she collected her thoughts. "Listen, I don't give a damn about anybody here as much as I do for you. When it comes right down to it, it is only you that matters. It is only us that matters. I am asking you not to take the risk of letting those Queens possibly hurt you badly let alone kill you. Don't ask me to let you take that risk." She sadly smiled. "You're the one thing I will keep to myself. Please don't endanger your life so that I maybe left alone."

Gabrielle studied her Soulmate's brilliant blue eyes. She considered Xena's words which seem to warm her being. Then a sad smile crossed her lips as a few tears streaked down her cheeks. "Don't you ever endanger your life so that you maybe killed and leave me behind. I want to spend as many seconds as I can with you in this life Xena. You are mine and I am not about to let anything or anybody take you."

Xena sadly smiled as well, she ducked down to place a gentle loving kiss to Gabrielle's lips. In the middle of the kiss Gabrielle started to cry. Xena pulled away and placed a kiss to her Soulmate's cheek then pulled her into her arms. The Soulmates held each other tightly and let a few tears trail down their cheeks.

Another step taken together in their journey.

Gabrielle placed a gentle kiss on the left side of her Soulmate's chest then lifted her head. "We need to get down to the sparring fields."

The warrior nodded and carefully released her partner. As she brought her arms back to her side she lifted her right hand with the dagger.

The smaller woman nodded and lifted her left arm.

Xena placed the dagger and sheath at Gabrielle's upper left arm so that her black arm-bracelet was at the middle of the dagger. Xena then tied it in place with the strings attached to the sheath. "Thank you."

The small warrior turned her head away from the dagger on her arm to her partner. "I'll do anything for you Xena. Just ask." She smiled warmly.

Xena smiled back. "Thank you. Ask anything of me and it's yours." She leaned down to place a kiss to her partner's forehead then straightened back up.

Gabrielle turned to the door. "Does that include massages?" She grasped the door handle as she felt a grin take her lips.

The warrior chuckled. "Oh definitely."

"Good." The Queen opened the door and stepped out. "I'll take you up on that one later."

Xena close the door behind and lowered her head close to Gabrielle's before moving. "Do that." She rose up again and started walking.

Gabrielle grinned to herself and jogged up to her partner's side then ambled along beside Xena.

Late afternoon came for the Central Amazon Nation and also came the end of the challenges for the day. Ephiny smiled to herself as she studied down at her scroll with the list of challenges, who won, and who lost.

Aureus South Nation ~ Won against Zahra/Lost to Mairead

Wins: One Losses: One

Mairead Southeast Nation ~ Won against Aureus/ Won against Zahra

Wins: Two Losses: None

Zahra Southwest Nation ~ Lost to Aureus/ Lost to Mairead

Wins: None Losses: Two

______________________________________________________________

Laetus North Nation ~ Lost to Nyx/ Lost to Parvulus

Wins: None Losses: Two

Parvulus Northwest Nation ~ Won against Laetus/Lost against Gabrielle

Wins: One Losses: One

Nyx Northeast Tribe Nation ~ Won against Laetus/Won against Gloria

Wins: Two Losses: None

_______________________________________________________________

Caitriona West Tribe Nation ~ Won against Gloria/ Won against Yakut

Wins: Two Losses: None

Gloria East Tribe Nation ~ Lost against Caitriona/ Lost to Nyx

Wins: None Losses Two

Yakut Far East Nation ~ Lost to Caitriona/Lost to Gabrielle

Wins: None Losses: Two

Gabrielle Central Nation ~ Won against Parvulus/Won against Yakut

Wins: Two Losses: None

The regent lifted her head from the scroll after running down the results then saw her Queen coming towards her.

Gabrielle smiled and came up to her friend's side. "How things looking?"

"Pretty good." Ephiny handed over the scroll.

The Amazon Queen studied the results with her head bobbing up and down in agreement. She then raised her head to Ephiny. "Looks like Mairead is going to do well."

The regent nodded. "Afraid so. So is Caitriona and Nyx."

Gabrielle sighed at hearing the name Nyx. "Will I fight either three of them tomorrow?"

Ephiny nodded. "Yeah probably Nyx."

The small warrior then grinned. "I can't wait."

The Amazon arched an eyebrow. "And why?"

"Because Queen Nyx pushed one of Gabrielle's buttons."

Both Ephiny and Gabrielle turned their heads to the left to see Xena standing there with a grin.

The regent chuckled and gazed back to her Queen. "I forgot about that. Still upset?"

The Queen gave a fake angry smile. "Oh yeah."

Xena chuckled and shifted by her Soulmate's side. "Yakut commented to me you're a honorable fighter."

Gabrielle gazed up to her partner. "Really?"

The warrior nodded with a respectful smile. "Yup." Xena then gazed down at the scroll in Gabrielle's hands and read the results as well. As soon as she saw Mairead's wins her eyes narrowed then continued down the list.

The small warrior though gazed up to Ephiny with a grin.

The regent winked with a grin then she went serious.

Gabrielle also went serious and turned her head towards Xena. "Good results huh?"

Xena raised her head and looked to her partner. "Overall yeah."

The small woman arched an eyebrow at her Soulmate. "Overall?"

The warrior nodded.

The regent gazed up to the warrior. "One of the… results you don't like Xena?"

Xena raised an eyebrow at the Amazon.

Gabrielle grinned. "Mairead?"

"Yesss." The warrior then turned her head to her Soulmate.

Gabrielle chuckled. "I'll be able to handle her." She then rolled up the scroll as she spoke. "Don't worry, I'll wipe the sparring fields wid all of them."

Xena's raised eyebrow only went higher as she grinned. "I know."

The small warrior grinned and handed Ephiny the scroll over.

The regent took the scroll back and gazed at her friends. "I better go. I'll see you both at dinner."

Gabrielle nodded. "See you Eph."

"Bye Gabrielle." Ephiny then raised her head to Xena. "Bye Xena."

The warrior smiled. "Bye Eph."

The regent smiled back and then shuffled off to head into the village.

Gabrielle turned to her partner. "Not a bad day."

Xena nodded. "Wasn't." Her eyes then focused behind Gabrielle to lock on somebody else on the sparring field. Her eyes then narrowed at the person.

Gabrielle quickly saw this and asked in a quiet voice. "What's wrong?"

"Mairead." Her voice was quiet but light in wonderment. "She's watching us."

The small warrior grinned. "How 'bout I walk over there and tell her to draw a picture 'cause it'll last longer."

Xena grinned and glanced back down to her Soulmate. "Bad."

The younger woman chuckled. "Just trying to get your attention back to me."

"You did." Her eyes lifted back up to Mairead.

"Xena don't worry about her."

The warrior didn't respond, she locked eyes with Mairead and she let her eyes go bitter cold while narrowing. She then gave the Southeast Queen an evil smile then Xena lifted her hands to Gabrielle's sides to lower her head down to her Soulmate again. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Mairead stalk off in a huff.

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow in question.

The older woman grinned. "She's gone."

"And you called me the bad one."

The warrior chuckled. "Just protecting my other half."

Gabrielle smiled. "Thanks." She then grasped Xena's right arm. "Let's go."

Xena nodded and released her partner. "Still feel like that massage?"

Slowly the Queen took two steps then stopped to turn to her Soulmate with a grin. "If you're offering."

"Definitely." The warrior smirked back and brought her right hand up to Gabrielle's back. "Come on."

They started walking towards the gates into the village. It was late afternoon now, around a candlemark till dusk. Gabrielle overall was tired but not exceedingly. Xena though was a bit energetic having done nothing but watch her Soulmate fight in the two challenges. Right now though, they were entering into their hut.

Gabrielle went in first and stared at the bed and sighed, feeling her body drained.

The warrior closed the door and came up behind her partner. She slipped both her arms around the other female's waist and pulled her in. Xena lowered her head down close to Gabrielle's. "How you feel?"

"Tired some."

Xena nodded. "I figured." She rubbed her cheek against Gabrielle's. "Lay down and I'll take care of you." She then lifted her hands to her Soulmate's left arm to remove the dagger and sheath.

The younger woman smiled. "I love the sound of that." She felt her Soulmate release her and Gabrielle padded over to the end of the bed and lifted one boot at a time to unlace her boots. She let them fall to the ground and then she crawled into her bed.

Xena laid her sword down by her chakram and Gabrielle's dagger then turned towards Gabrielle. She chuckled and strolled over to her partner.

Gabrielle gazed up to her warrior with a smile as she lay on her back in the dead center of the bed.

The warrior smiled back and sat on the side of the bed. She lifted her hands to each of the small warrior's shoulders. For a second Xena studied her friend's left shoulder seeing the wound almost gone. All that was really left was a bit of a red spot where the raider's sword had cut through the skin.

The Queen followed her Soulmate's gazed and studied the remains of the wound as well. "Almost gone."

Xena nodded. "Thankfully it won't scar." She smiled after saying that.

Gabrielle turned her head back to Xena and smiled back. "Let me see your left hand."

At first the Warrior Princess didn't do anything in hesitation but she held her hand out to Gabrielle, palm showing.

The small woman's fingertips grazed across the healing cut in the warrior's palm. "It looks better."

Xena nodded as she stared at the cut she'd made on her hand. Her mind began to imagine if she'd cut her wrist what would have happened.

Gabrielle gazed up from her Soulmate's hand to study misty blue eyes. At that point she figured out why Xena's eyes were misty and it made Gabrielle sad. "I don't know where I'd be if you'd done that."

The warrior's eyes quickly focused on the other woman. "I'm sorry." A quiet response.

Rapidly Gabrielle laced her right hand with the warrior's left hand. "Don't be. I know… you were hurting. It's in the past." She smiled sadly.

Xena smiled sadly back. "I love you."

Gabrielle's smile went warm. "I love you too Xena."

Xena then leaned down to hug her Soulmate. Gabrielle quickly wrapped her arms around her Soulmate tightly. Gabrielle placed a gentle kiss to her Soulmate's cheek.

The warrior smiled. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Gabrielle let a smile take control as she shifted her hands to her stomach.

Xena then grinned. "Now then, how about that massage?"

The small warrior chuckled. "Oh yeah."

The older woman kept her grin and moved her hands again to her partner's shoulders. She then carefully began to massage the Queen's shoulders. "Close your eyes and relax."

The small woman did as she was told. She could feel her partner's strong hands work her muscles. It relaxed her mind and body. It wasn't necessarily the massage but the fact it was Xena's touch and that it was Xena here.

Xena kept studying her Soulmate's body as she worked her muscles. She began to notice Gabrielle's breathing becoming a little shallower by each passing second. She herself was starting to feel a little tired for no real reason. But now she shifted her hands to her partner's right arm working the muscles up and down her length. She repeated that same process on Gabrielle's left arm.

The small warrior could feel her reserves slipping she wanted to stay awake for some reason. Yet she knew Xena wanted her to sleep so she let go. Nor did she let herself think about anything.

The warrior brought her hands down to Gabrielle's sides around her waist area. She massaged the Queen's sides and under her back just a little. After that Xena came farther down to the small warrior's upper legs and thighs. She glanced back up to the small woman's face to see her expression relaxed her chest rising very gradually.

Gabrielle is asleep.

Xena smiled to herself and turned her attention back to the massaging. She came down to Gabrielle's calves and ankles. After doing that the warrior stopped and leaned down close to Gabrielle and placed a light kiss to her Soulmate's forehead.

Xena then carefully rose from the bed and went to sit in one of the seats. She leaned back into the seat with a sigh. Now an exhausted feeling took her as she relaxed in the wood chair. Closing her eyes she began to muse but the musing seemed to only make her more tired and it eventually knocked her out.

Dusk was nearing and so would dinner for them. Time then passed on for the Soulmates as they slept and their dream came together.

"I still can't believe you fell asleep."

Xena grinned. "I'm getting old."

Gabrielle chuckled as she walked along in the grassy field beside her partner. "Right" She then gazed up to her Soulmate. "That was a great massage."

Xena looked down to her Soulmate. "Good." She lifted her head again to see that the end of the grassy field came to a cliff. The cliff overlooking a sea.

Gabrielle gazed ahead at the scene. "That's beautiful."

"It is." Xena then grinned down at her partner as she kept ambling along towards the cliff's edge. "I'd just like to know whose idea it is."

"Yours." Gabrielle smirked.

"How you figure? You're the one that enjoys good scenery."

Gabrielle nodded her head. "True." She then shrugged her shoulders. "But you love the waters."

Xena smiled as she came to the cliff's edge and stopped to stare over the twinkling blue sea. "I do."

"I don't understand how you miss being on ships Xena." She shook her head. "All you do is bob up and down in the water."

Xena chuckled. "You don't like being on water 'cause you get sick."

"Hey." Gabrielle instantly looked up to her partner. "I'm getting better with it." She grinned.

Gabrielle's Soulmate nodded and glanced down to her. "You are." Xena smiled.

Gabrielle smiled back and reached for her Soulmate's hand and their hands interlaced. They both then gazed back over the sea. Then a slight breeze picked up to brush their hair back slightly.

Xena then mumbled, "The breeze is your idea."

Gabrielle laughed. "You caught me." She squeezed her Soulmate's hand then smiled to herself.

The Soulmates continued to stare over the sea. Watching the sun's light twinkle and sparkle off as the waves gently hit the beach far below the cliff. Neither said anything, didn't need to.

Xena slowly let her breath out. "We should get up."

Gabrielle nodded as she stared out at the sea. "I like it here though."

"I know." Xena turned her head to her Soulmate. "But we need to keep entertaining the Amazons."

A chuckle. "You're right." Gabrielle turned her body to Xena. "Let's go."

Xena turned away from the scenery to face her Soulmate. She smiled and wrapped her arms around her Soulmate's body. "Nice place, we'll have to remember it." She lowered her head close to Gabrielle's.

"I second that." Gabrielle smiled.

"Good." Xena then leaned down closer. "See you there." She closed her eyes and locked lips with her Soulmate in a sound kiss.

Gabrielle was deep into the kiss then she felt her Soulmate disappear from her grasp, her arms falling back to her side. She still kept her eyes closed letting the wind blow on her for a few moments, taking it in. Listening to the sound of the beating waves, it was calming her soul.

"Gabrielle." It came out in a whisper in the wind. "Gabrielle."

The Amazon Queen felt warm lips touch hers for a moment then move back. Slowly Gabrielle opened her eyes again to find crystal blue eyes twinkling down at her. The small warrior smiled at her warrior.

Xena smiled back and brushed back some of her small warrior's short hair. Her other hand resting on the bed as she stayed bent down to one knee beside Gabrielle. "Glad you decided to wake up."

The Queen chuckled. "Sorry, it was just so peaceful."

The Warrior Princess smiled. "I know." She bent forward again to capture Gabrielle's lips. Xena lifted her head back up at the end of the kiss. "Its dark."

The small warrior nodded. "We better go huh?"

Xena nodded. "Yup." Slowly she stood up.

The Amazon Queen stood up and hopped out of the bed. She walked to the foot of the bed to put her boots on. Xena though went to the table and put her chakram in place and hook her sword on her back.

Gabrielle laced her last boot and repositioned her sais. She turned to her warrior. "You really fell asleep in the chair?"

The older woman turned around to Gabrielle. "Yeah."

The small female crossed her arms against her chest. "I wonder why?"

"You." Xena then grinned and stepped up to her partner. "You're sleepy then I am. You're hungry, I am. You're in pain, I am. You're happy, I am." Xena lowered her head down close to Gabrielle's.

Gabrielle grinned. "You are then I am too." She chuckled. "Just don't get into a bad mood Xena."

The warrior arched an eyebrow. "Me? Gabrielle who-"

"You do." The small warrior then quickly moved to the door. "You know you do Xena." She had her left hand up pointing a finger at Xena. "Admit it." The door opened and she was halfway outside into the night.

"Oh no you don't." In a flash Xena was near her partner and grabbing her by the stomach to pull back into the hut. She slammed the door shut behind with her free hand.

The Queen struggled against her Soulmate but knew she wouldn't get anywhere. "Xena… Xena."

The taller woman quickly swung Gabrielle across the room so that she landed onto the bed sitting. Xena then placed her hands roughly down onto the small woman's thighs pinning her down on the bed with Gabrielle's legs open. She grinned tigerishly. "Who has a worse temper?"

"Xena… don't-"

"Gabrielle." The warrior lifted her right knee to go between her partner's legs. "Who?"

The small warrior grinned sheepishly. "Not me."

"Mmm." Xena pressed her right knee more up against Gabrielle. "Are you sure?" She leaned in close to Gabrielle, letting her lips come close to Gabrielle's.

"Gods…" Her emerald eyes closed tightly.

Xena grinned and pressed her knee hardier into her Soulmate's center and then lightly brushed her lips against Gabrielle's. "Who?" It came out in a purr.

"Sweet mother of Zeus! Alright, I have a worse temper!" The small woman then groaned.

The warrior grinned. "Thank you." She pulled her knee back then started to rise up while pulling her head away.

The Queen's eyes flew open sparkling. "Xena." It came as a growl. She quickly grasped the warrior's wrists with both hands and pulled her back down sharply. Gabrielle grinned when her Soulmate's face came closer to hers. "I don't think so." She quickly leaned in to take the warrior's lips in a rough kiss. Her hands went to her Soulmate's straps and pulled her back. They both went falling back into the bed still kissing.

Xena then started chuckling in the middle of the kiss.

It seemed to catch for Gabrielle started to laugh with her and the kiss ended.

The warrior dropped her head into her partner's shoulder with a sigh. "Later."

"Count on it." Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Xena and hugged her.

Xena really couldn't hug her back, her hands were on the bed holding herself up from falling into the Queen. So instead she placed a kiss to Gabrielle's neck then stood up. "Come on." She held her hand down to her partner.

Gabrielle took the offered hand and was hauled up to her feet. She then went to the door and opened it. Stepping out into the night she waited for Xena.

The warrior came out closing the door behind and stepped up to her Queen's side.

The small warrior smiled up to her partner and started to walk.

They headed directly to the Amazon Camp where they served the food now. It was rather cool out tonight but the Soulmates seemed to not notice for they kept each other warm by staying near.

The dinner was rather long. Everybody hustled and bustled about eating and talking and some drinking. The Soulmates met up with Amarice and her sister, all of them deciding to eat together so they could catch up. The entire time the Soulmates were chuckling and teasing each other like a pair of kids. And Amarice had an amused smile at seeing this. Rodhiya on the other hand didn't know what to make of it. Relatively near the end of dinner the regent and Solari showed up and joined in. They to watched the Soulmates teasing each other which only made them grin to each other.

"Xena I still have yet to understand why."

Amarice raised an eyebrow at Gabrielle after she'd spoken. "You mean she used the frying pan for a weapon?"

Gabrielle whipped her head to look at Amarice. "Yes." She sighed. "And you know Xena has so many moves to use on these men. Yet she had," her head turned to Xena. "To use my frying pan."

Xena gazed down at her partner with a grin. "I told you I like to be creative."

"And I like to cook."

The warrior chuckled. "Hey I still caught us fish in the stream."

The Queen raised her eyebrow. "Yeah well it was swimming up stream all day."

Xena chuckled. "That's 'cause you wanted eel."

The small warrior shivered at just the word. "I hate eel now."

Ephiny turned her head to Solari. The second in command gazed at the regent. Ephiny winked at the other Amazon then turned her head back to the Soulmates. "So what happened that day anyway?" Ephiny crossed her arms at the table.

Gabrielle chuckled and grinned. "Howard is what happened."

"Gabrielle." Xena's voice was deep.

The Queen looked up to her partner. "Xena he was the best part."

The warrior narrowed her eyes as she grinned. "Don't even."

Rodhiya grinned at this. "What was up with this guy Howard?"

Gabrielle quickly looked at the Amazon. "Well you see he had this real bad hang up on Xena."

Everybody at the table but Xena started to chuckle. The Warrior Princess sighed.

The small warrior then smiled. "The best part was Howard would keep denying that Xena didn't love him." Gabrielle peered up at her partner. "Remember that talk we both had with him?"

"Gods how could I forget?" The warrior chuckled and shook her head. She then gazed back to the others at the table. "I couldn't get him away from me. So I…" Xena looked down to Gabrielle. "Improvised."

The Queen started to chuckle. "Don't look at me Xena. I had nothing to do with that one."

Solari grinned. "What happened?"

Xena turned her head back. "Well at the time Howard had a girlfriend named Minya. Ssso I told her how to win him back."

Ephiny now grinned. "I bet this is interesting."

The warrior chuckled. "To say the least. Near the end of our day Minya came around the corner after taking my… advice. She was dressed in brown leathers and had my whip, cracking it."

"Cracking it to say the least." Gabrielle mumbled that.

All the Amazons at the table started to chuckle with grins.

The Queen grinned to everybody. "As you all can guess that was just another day in a life."

Ephiny grinned. "That was an easy day huh?"

Gabrielle sighed. "To say the least." She then looked up to her warrior with a smile.

Xena smiled down at the partner.

The Queen gave her a look and shifted her right leg to hit Xena's leg.

The warrior quickly looked back to the group of Amazons. "I think we'll retire out of here."

Ephiny smirked. "I hear you Xena. Have to get some sleep huh?"

Xena slowly turned her head towards the regent. She then grinned very devilishly. "Yesss, Gabrielle and I have to sleep together otherwise we won't fall asleep. You and Solari know that."

Immediately the regent started to blush and she coughed. "Yeah I know what you mean Xena. Being alone in a hut sort of… eerie."

The warrior nodded. "Right." She then stood up with Gabrielle. "Goodnight everybody."

Everybody called back to say goodnight.

Gabrielle then smiled to her Amazons. "Night. Sleep well everybody." She then gazed directly at Ephiny. "And I hope you get enough sleep." She grinned then quickly turned on her heals to walk off.

Xena chuckled and ambled off with her partner.

The warrior and smaller warrior walked to the village and directly into the hut. Gabrielle flopped down on the end of the bed and slowly took her boots off.

Xena did the same by the table and also took her weapons and armor off. She then slowly walked over to Gabrielle. "I think your Amazons believe us to be crazy."

Gabrielle chuckled. "Let them." She smiled. "I have all I need."

The warrior smiled. "Mmm I know." She then went serious. "Eph told me you'll have three maybe four challenges tomorrow."

The Queen nodded. "Yeah."

"Come here, I wanted you to do something with me."

The small woman raised an eyebrow as she stood. "What's that?"

"Something to help your back for tomorrow." Xena took a step back from the bed.

Gabrielle followed her example. "That's true, my back will probably hurt some from all the fighting."

The warrior nodded. "That's what I figured." She lay down on the floor.

The younger woman followed her example and laid on the floor beside Xena. "What now?"

Xena turned her head to the right at her Soulmate. "Prop her feet up onto the end of the bed." She did what she told and placed her feet up.

Gabrielle did the same and quickly felt a hint of pain in her back, but the sort of pain that felt good. "Wow."

The warrior chuckled. "Feels good huh?"

"Yeah." The small woman then moved her hands to go under her head.

"Don't do that." The warrior turned her head to her Soulmate. "Put your hands under your neck but not your head."

The Queen shifted her hands farther down. "Why's that?"

"Because you want to keep all of your spine straight."

Gabrielle turned her head back to stare up at the ceiling. "Makes sense." Her eyes drifted shut.

Xena also closed her eyes and crossed her right leg over her left.

"Xen?"

"Mmm?"

"You think we can go south sometime?"

The warrior thought about that for a moment. "Where south? Egypt?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle considered. "I'd love to go there."

Xena grinned. "I think I can arrange that."

The small woman opened her eyes to turn her head to Xena. "Really?"

The older woman lifted her eyes and gazed at her partner. "Why not?" She smiled. "You'd love Egypt."

"Gods I'd die to go." The Queen smiled. "I heard it's another world and sort of mysterious."

Xena's lips now shaped into a smile. "It is. Very different culture and magical."

Gabrielle still had her smile. "Could we go down the Nile."

The warrior chuckled. "Best way to get there." She then grinned. "I'll have to talk to Cleopatra about it."

The small warrior's eyes widen. "Xena you think we could stay in her palace?"

The Warrior Princess still had her grin. "Yes, remember she invited us."

"No no, she invited you. Not me."

"Well you are me." Xena smiled. "Don't worry. She owes us a favor after last time."

"Gods I almost forgot about that time." Gabrielle chuckled. "Hades Joxer got Autolycus and I in so much trouble." She then knitted her eyebrows together. "Did I ever thank you for that one?"

Xena raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Getting me out of that jail cell not to mention saving our butts?"

The warrior chuckled. "Ah, wasn't your fault it didn't work." She turned her head back to stare at the ceiling. "Joxer screw it up for you."

"I keep trying to tell myself but I can never believe it."

"Gabrielle you can handle things pretty well these days from what I've seen." Xena lifted her hands off the floor to rest on her leather-clad stomach.

"Now a days yeah." The small woman sighed. "I don't know. It was after we weren't together I just seemed… seemed to not care about myself. Didn't care what happened for a time." Gabrielle turned her head towards Xena. "A lot of apathy."

The warrior gazed at her Soulmate. "Samething happen for me." She let out her breath slowly. "I thank the whomever that it's over with." She smiled.

Gabrielle smiled back. "Tell me about it." She chuckled. "I think everybody here knows though Xena."

"Gabrielle I think we both know why they do too."

The small woman raised an eyebrow. "If you mean the rings. No." She grinned. "I don't like to show them, it's more like strut my stuff with them gleaming and blinding people." She started to chuckle.

Xena laughed for a moment. "Mmm you'd think people would ask."

Gabrielle grinned. "Nah, they're to scared."

"Really? Of what?" The warrior suddenly dropped her feet from the foot of the bed and rolled to her right so that she gazed down at her Soulmate. Her elbows propping her up.

"You, who else?"

Xena chuckled. "Good." She moved her left hand to her partner's stomach.

Gabrielle's eyelids slid close. "That's good too."

The tall woman grinned. "I figured." She moved her fingertips up and down her Soulmate's muscular stomach. She did that for a few minutes then let her left hand slide down to Gabrielle's side and she shifted closer to her Queen. Xena lowered her lips to her partner's stomach and lightly placed a kiss.

"Oh gods." A low whisper and Gabrielle clenched her hands together that were still under her neck.

Xena grinned and brought her lips back down to place a few butterfly kisses to Gabrielle's stomach. She then brought her tongue into the center of her Soulmate's stomach. Without warning she felt Gabrielle's hand grasping her head pulling her up. She followed the demand and lifted her head up to her partner's.

Gabrielle quickly took Xena's lips in a powerful kiss. She then brought her feet down from the end of the bed to the floor.

The warrior kept in the deep kiss. She felt her Queen's knee press into her center hard making her moan in the middle of the kiss. Slowly Xena pulled back from the kiss and reposition her body so that she straddled her Soulmate's hips and gazed down at her.

The small woman evilly grinned up to her partner.

Xena grinned back and leaned down to claim Gabrielle's mouth. She let her hands slide up Gabrielle's stomach and to slip under the bottom of Gabrielle's maroon leather top.

~*Part 19*~

Aureus South Nation ~ Won against Zahra/Lost to Mairead/Won against Laetus/Lost to Caitriona

Wins: Two Losses: Two

Mairead Southeast Nation ~ Won against Aureus/ Won against Zahra/Won against Parvulus/Won against Gloria

Wins: Four Losses: None

Zahra Southwest Nation ~ Lost to Aureus/ Lost to Mairead/Won against Nyx/Won Against Yakut

Wins: Two Losses: Two

______________________________________________________________________________________

Laetus North Nation ~ Lost to Nyx/ Lost to Parvulus/Lost to Aureus/Lost to Yakut

Wins: None Losses: Four

Parvulus Northwest Nation ~ Won against Laetus/Lost against Gabrielle/Lost to Mairead/Won against Caitriona

Wins: Two Losses: Two

Nyx Northeast Tribe Nation ~ Won against Laetus/Won against Gloria/Lost to Zahra/Lost to Gabrielle

Wins: Two Losses: Two

______________________________________________________________________________________

Caitriona West Tribe Nation ~ Won against Gloria/ Won against Yakut/Won against Aureus/Lost to Parvulus

Wins: Three Losses: One

Gloria East Tribe Nation ~ Lost against Caitriona/ Lost to Nyx/Lost to Gabrielle/Lost to Mairead

Wins: None Losses: Four

Yakut Far East Nation ~ Lost to Caitriona/Lost to Gabrielle/Won against Laetus/Lost to Zahra

Wins: One Losses: Three

Gabrielle Central Nation ~ Won against Parvulus/Won against Yakut/Won against Gloria /Won against Nyx

Wins: Four Losses: None

Ephiny lifted her head up from her scroll and rolled it up. She walked through this sparring field to go to the other one on the opposite side of the Amazon Camp. As soon as she got there she saw Mairead take down Queen Leatus. The regent sighed and unrolled the scroll to jot the win down.

She then started scanning the crowd for her Queen and quickly found Gabrielle standing beside her Soulmate. Ephiny walked over there and came up beside her friend. "You're up next against… Queen Zahra." She lifted her head to gaze at the sparring field and saw Queen Zahra of the Southwest Nation step up into the sparring field after the finishing of the last challenge.

Gabrielle turned her head to her regent. "Here it goes."

"Gabrielle?"

The Queen looked back to the Amazon. "Yeah?"

"I've noticed Zahra likes to jump back in her attacks to look scared. She's doing it on purpose so don't strike at her that's what she wants. Let her attack you."

Gabrielle smiled to Ephiny. "Thanks Eph."

The regent smiled. "Good luck."

"Thanks." The small warrior then peered up to her Soulmate. "See you in a little bit."

Xena smiled to her partner. "Good luck love. Be careful."

The younger woman winked. "Always." She then turned to the sparring field to walked onto it to face Zahra.

"Good luck Gabrielle."

The small warrior smiled to Queen Zahra. "You too Queen Zahra. Let's play this safe."

The other Amazon Queen nodded her head. "Honorable is the only way I know." She unsheathed her sword and took a step back.

Gabrielle stepped back and lifted her hands in fighting stance. "Ready?"

Zahra nodded. "Ready."

"Go." After saying that Gabrielle began to circle the other Queen. Her hands shifted up and down in a small circle in front of her body.

Zahra kept circling as well, waiting for an attack and not getting one.

Gabrielle grinned. "Sorry but I'm trying to quit attacking."

The Southwest Queen grinned back. "Right." She then quickly attacked and brought her sword down at Gabrielle.

The small warrior brought her right hand up to stop the sword with her bracelet.

Zahra still had her grin. "That's why you have those bracelets huh?" Without warning she brought her sword to swipe at Gabrielle's left side.

But the Central Nation Queen stopped the sword with her left arm bracelet and smirked to the Queen. "Not just for fashion."

Queen Zahra laughed and lunged forward with her sword.

Gabrielle though jumped back with a grin.

The other Queen then rapidly tried to chop off Gabrielle's head.

The small warrior responded by ducking and rolling on the ground to her right. She stayed bent to her knees and unsheathed her sais and bounced up to her feet and rapidly attack Zahra.

The challenge went from there. It was a well equal fight except Gabrielle was smarter and faster as well as agile. And within a quarter of a candlemark she defeated Queen Zahra of the Southwest Nation.

That was Gabrielle's last challenge for the day. Everybody else finished up their fights as well. The remaining candlemarks of the day were down time for all the Queens. The dinner was fairly good and all the Amazons ate rather fast. The Soulmates though found themselves in bed early, Gabrielle rather tired.

Gabrielle closed her eyes as she felt her partner's arms slip around her stomach. "Gods that was a long day."

"You did well."

The small warrior smiled. "Thanks." She lifted her head a little then settled her head back down on the pillow. "Tomorrow Eph said we're only doing two challenges."

Xena smiled. "Good." She leaned in a little placing a kiss to her partner's right shoulder. "Go to sleep huh?"

Gabrielle stiffened a yawn at that moment. "Good idea." She chuckled and lifted her hands to rest over her Soulmate's hands. "Xena?"

"Mmm?"

"I love you."

The warrior smiled again. "I love you too."

The small female smiled herself and turned in Xena's arms. She placed her left arm over the warrior's stomach.

Xena chuckled and lifted her right hand to press her partner's head under her chin. "Go to sleep."

Gabrielle nodded. "Night Xena."

"Goodnight love."

~*Part 20*~

The next day wasn't quick nor fast either. Gabrielle had her challenges against Queen Leatus and Queen Aureus. She won both. So far she'd won all her challenges and loosing none. She felt pretty happy about that not to mention proud. She'd also heard Mairead hadn't lost any yet. And tomorrow Gabrielle would have her first challenge against Mairead then against Queen Caitriona. She was pretty nervous about both.

Right now it was late afternoon and the Soulmates decided to take their horses for a run. Torqueo and Argo had been to cooped up in their stalls.

Gradually Gabrielle turned her head to her Soulmate. "It's nice out."

"It is." The warrior glanced over to her friend. "Glad we decided to go." A warm smile creased her lips.

The Queen nodded and turned her head back ahead.

They were walking their horses through the Amazon Forest just finishing a portion of galloping. They let Argo and the stallion take a break at a walk. Both the horses seem to be full of energy after being in the stable just a little to long.

Gabrielle let her left hand release the rein and grasp the saddle horn. She felt herself rhythmically sway back and forth in the saddle with the Torqueo's walk. A large amount of air filled her lungs then escaped at a slow pace.

Xena studied her partner for a moment then turned her head away. "I'm not sure if you'll beat her."

The Amazon Queen peered over to her Soulmate. Gabrielle studied her warrior and let that statement roll in her mind. She dropped her head and turned to lift her eyes to the trail ahead. "I can't help but wonder."

The warrior nodded. "I know." She paused then continued with, "You just need to relax tomorrow with the challenge."

Gabrielle's head bobbed up and down. "I hope I can."

The older woman reposition herself in the saddle. "Have confidence Gabrielle. You've beaten all the other Queens so far, don't let Mairead stop you." Xena let those same words take her, let them create a certain emotion. The emotion of anger.

The Amazon Queen glanced over at Xena. "I can't let myself get to angry with it Xena."

The warrior nodded and looked to her partner. "I know I've said anger clouds the mind, prevents focus. But I can also add that if you can control your anger then you can also focus it towards Mairead in the challenge. It might just protect you." Her jaw clamped down thinking about if Mairead beat Gabrielle how much anger would fill her. It was already filling Xena. The warrior let the anger fill her, she needed it. Gabrielle needed it.

The younger woman turned her attention away and considered her warrior's words. She knew Xena was right about one thing when it comes to anger. Anger protects one. And yes, Gabrielle has won all her challenges thus far. How could she let one beef head Amazon stop her now? She couldn't let Mairead take her chance away to become Queen of all the Amazons. No, she'd work to hard to create this dream for the Amazons. Gabrielle wasn't going to have her dream distorted with the Queen of all Amazons being a no brainier Amazon. Gabrielle felt as if she earned the position as Amazon Queen of all Nations.

These sort of thoughts quickly fumed in Gabrielle's head. They swirled in her mind and constructed an anger for Mairead. It was such a powerful anger that Gabrielle shut her eyes. She needed to take control of it so that it wouldn't take control of her. That was the key with anger. Control anger, don't let anger control.

Slowly the Queen's eyes drifted open, they sparkled a second then went normal again.

Xena had felt that same anger in herself. For her cobalt eyes twinkled deeply then shifted normal again as well. "Be careful."

Gabrielle shifted her eyes to Xena. "I will." She smiled warmly. She'd known what the warrior meant by that. Be careful, yes be careful with your anger. For Gabrielle not only had her anger but Xena's anger all inside of herself.

The tall woman nodded and gazed onward. "So Amphipolis after here or Egypt?"

Gabrielle grinned. "Decisions, decisions."

Xena quietly laughed and had a smile on her lips. "Hard huh?" She let her breath out slowly. "We'll probably have to go to Amphipolis first. I'd like to catch up with Mother before we disappear to Egypt."

The smaller warrior nodded. "Yeah I agree. Besides won't it take awhile to get a message down and back from Egypt?"

"Yes. I'd say it would take fourteen days at least."

"You think we'd be best off having somebody from Amphipolis deliver the message Xena?"

Xena considered the question. "Yeah I think so."

Gabrielle let a grin sweep across her lips. "So how long are we going to stay in Egypt?"

"However long you'd like." The warrior grinned back to her partner then gazed ahead.

The Queen quietly laughed. "Well not too long. If we do I'm sure something would happen that we'd have to fix."

The older woman shook her head with her grin. "Probably right." She pulled back on her reins to stop Argo.

Gabrielle did the same with Torqueo. "Gallop back?"

Xena nodded as she turned her warhorse around to face towards the Amazon village again. "All the way back."

The small warrior lifted an eyebrow at her partner. "Really?"

The warrior coolly turned her head to her Soulmate then slowly an evil grin controlled the warrior's lips. "If you can handle it?"

Gabrielle regarded the other woman and let a calm smile take over. "I know I can. The big question, is can you Xena?"

Xena arched an eyebrow at the Queen.

The younger woman chuckled. "See you in the village Xena." She kicked Torqueo in the sides. "Ya!"

Torqueo's response was a lightening bolt gallop.

Argo had been sent into a gallop as well directly behind Gabrielle and her stallion. Yet another race has begun. They were a fair distance from the Amazon village.

Gabrielle was in the lead for the most part. But then Xena started to catch up, she came right along side of Torqueo and Gabrielle. The warrior glance over to her partner with a knowing grin. Gabrielle had sighed at this and looked ahead again. She tried to get Torqueo to pick up speed but wasn't really able to.

"Gabrielle is Torqueo getting a little slow?"

The Amazon Queen narrowed her eyes over at Xena. She then shook her head and turned her head forward. "Pick it up Torqueo. Don't let her talk about you like that."

The chestnut stallion tried to pick up his pace but only by a little. He'd been to coop up in that stall without moving it was weighing on him now.

Argo on the other hand was starting to pass by Torqueo. She was breathing heavy but she wasn't going to let that stop her. Soon she was ahead of the stallion and still picking up some speed.

Ahead Xena caught sight of the stream they'd crossed earlier at a walk. She lifted herself in the saddle doing a standing post. And as Argo came to the stream's edge she leaped over the stream. The warrior then gazed back to her Soulmate and her eyes widen in surprise as she watched.

Torqueo came to the stream's edge and suddenly lurched to a surprising stop. Gabrielle went lashing forward with the sudden stop, her face in the stallion's mane. Slowly she lifted her head with her teeth clenched to see Xena and Argo speeding ahead.

Xena turned her head back from the scene of her partner. She quietly laughed to herself and kept going at a gallop.

Gabrielle brought her right hand on the saddle and drummed her fingers, her tongue touching her back molars. "Okay! Care to explain to me Torqueo why you stopped?"

The horse turned his head back to glance at his owner. His head bobbed up and down then he huffed turning his head forward. Slowly the stallion practically tiptoed through the stream's water to the other side.

The Amazon Queen groaned. "This is good." She sighed. "Well Xena and Argo definitely won." With a shake of her head, Gabrielle patted her horse on the side of the neck. "Come on boy." She kicked him into a trot. She knew she'd lose against Xena. So why rush it? Just enjoy the ride now.

Xena ambled out of the cook's hut after grabbing an apples. She'd just finished stabling Argo from the ride. Gabrielle hadn't returned yet. So Xena decided to go meet her partner at the gates. She strolled down to the gates while she ate the apple. The warrior came to the wood gates. She walked over to one side and leaned against it and continued to munch on her apple.

Within a few seconds Gabrielle appeared out of the forest coming at the village on Torqueo. The horse was moving at a walk.

Xena smiled to see her Soulmate coming. She finished eating the apple and threw it to the ground out of the way. Lifting her arms she crossed them over her chest. She kept her eyes pinned on Gabrielle mounted high on the stallion.

Gabrielle's image riding on Torqueo was rather beautiful. The Queen kept her back straight, her hands resting on her thighs with the reins. Her hair slightly brushing back from the light breeze. Her ankles were down on a perfect angle. Torqueo, himself, was gorgeous with is chestnut coat flashing from the sun's light.

Gabrielle came up to the warrior's side pulling her stallion to a stop. "Hi."

The warrior grinned as she gazed up to her Soulmate. "Glad you made it."

"Thanks." The small warrior then sighed. She carefully dismounted beside Xena and started strolling into the village towards the stables.

Xena walked beside her partner. "So you had a good look of Torqueo's mane?"

The smaller woman groaned. "Gods, that was horrible."

Torqueo heard it for he nudged against his owner's back.

"Oh don't nudge me Torqueo." Gabrielle looked sidelong to her stallion. "You owe me for that."

The horse whined and walked a little fast so that he could rest his head on his owner's shoulder.

The Warrior Princess watched the scene and grinned inwardly.

Gabrielle sighed and smiled to herself. She patted her stallion's face. "Alright alright, you're forgiven."

It seemed as if a smile took Torqueo's mouth. For he nickered and lifted his head and sped up to walk along side his owner with a sort of happiness in his stride.

The small warrior chuckled and turned her head to Xena. "I'm beat now."

"More then one way." The warrior's voice had came out low.

"What?" Gabrielle narrowed her eyes up to her Soulmate.

Xena laughed and smiled. "Nothing." She wrapped an arm around Gabrielle's waist.

"Uh huh." Gabrielle kept her pace of walk up as she held her horse's reins in her left hand. "I assume that Argo is stabled."

"She has been for awhile."

The smaller woman narrowed her eyes up at the warrior. "Don't even Xena." She grinned. "I know you're going to rub it in."

Xena grinned. "Never."

"Right." Gabrielle chuckled to herself. Then without warning she stopped and turned to Xena.

The warrior raised an eyebrow at her partner, wondering why they'd stopped.

Gabrielle quickly wrapped an arm around Xena's body as she leaned into the warrior. Her right hand though stayed by her side holding Torqueo's reins.

Xena smiled and enveloped the smaller woman. She lowered her lips close to Gabrielle's ear. "Your Amazons are going to wonder."

"Mmm, let them." The Queen nuzzled her face against her warrior's neck then lifted her head. She released Xena and stepped back.

The warrior's lips shaped into a warm smile she then nodded. Once again she started walking beside Gabrielle towards the stables.

That was late afternoon. Dusk came to the day and so did a huge dinner then later an early sleep. Gabrielle though didn't fall asleep right away, she was to nervous about tomorrow.

~*Part 21*~

Gabrielle stared at the dagger in its sheath on her left arm. She sighed and felt her Soulmate's hand move away from her arm after tying it on. Slowly her eyes lifted up to Xena.

The warrior's mouth shaped into a sad smile of sorts.

The Amazon Queen mirrored the smile then sighed. Her eyes shut, she tried to calm herself. She could feel her nervousness sweep through her body. She'd be fighting Mairead first and later Caitriona, the most challenging fights yet.

Xena leaned forward to place a gentle kiss to her partner's forehead.

The smaller woman opened her eyes again and smiled to the warrior.

"Ready?"

Gabrielle nodded.

The warrior's body tensed then. Gabrielle hadn't made the usual joke about being ready and just going. She lifted both her hands to her Soulmate's shoulders. "Gabrielle you'll do fine okay?"

"Yeah." The Queen nodded her head.

"Remember that you're first before this Nation Gabrielle." Xena then smiled. "Hey, I'll be there."

A very elegant smile took the small warrior's mouth. "I know." She took a deep breath. "Okay, we better go."

Xena nodded. She straightened up and so did her partner. The Soulmates left the hut in full gear. The day was cold and brisk making them grab their cloaks before leaving and wearing them. They ambled down to the sparring fields outside of the village and met up with Ephiny.

Mairead had been waiting on the sparring field already, warming up.

Gabrielle nodded at something her regent said. She turned her head to her left at Mairead in the distance warming up. Ephiny said a few other things but she never really heard what.

The regent said something else in question.

The Queen nodded without knowing what she'd answered to. "Yeah." Her head turned back away from the scene of Mairead to the regent.

Ephiny smiled. "Good luck Gabrielle."

"Thanks." The small warrior smiled.

The regent nodded and strolled off.

Gabrielle turned her head back in Mairead's direction. But she only got to studied for so long for Xena stepped in her view. She lifted her eyes up to Xena. "Thanks." It was sincere, she really hadn't want to see Mairead.

The warrior smiled. "Sure." She then crossed her arms against her chest. "Do you know what Ephiny said?"

The younger woman shook her head guiltily. Her voice came out in a peep saying, "No."

Xena nodded. "I figured." She lifted her hand to her Soulmate's shoulder. "She told you to watch out for Mairead's high attacks. She likes to go at people's heads."

"Okay." There was such a lack of emotions in Gabrielle's voice.

The warrior squeezed her Soulmate's shoulders. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to Gabrielle. Just tell me." Xena's voice was deep and strong.

The Queen locked eyes with her consort. She debated her answer. No, she couldn't let Mairead win this one. Or if Mairead won Gabrielle would go down fighting. Her eyes then narrowed with a hard answer of, "No. I'll be okay."

The warrior smiled. "Be careful."

"I will. Thank you Xena."

The older woman nodded and released her partner's shoulders. She watched her Soulmate walk past her into the sparring field to meet up with Mairead.

Mairead smirked. "Nice that we finally have our challenge."

Gabrielle nodded. "Better late then never huh?" She bent down to pull her sais out of her boots and she stepped back. Her cloak was slightly open from the cold breeze in the air. Gabrielle flipped her sais so that the blades were under her wrists. "Ready?"

The Southeast Queen grinned. "I have been." She reached behind to unsheathe her sword with a scrape.

The Central Queen grinned. "Then lets go." Gabrielle instantly attacked after saying that. Her effort was fruitless for her attacks were stopped by Mairead's good defense.

After Gabrielle's attacks came Mairead's strong attacks. They were quick and hard ones. But Gabrielle was able to stop them all. The small warrior stopped Mairead's sword as it came to her side. She fired back by thrusting her other sai at Mairead. But the other Queen jumped back which slipped her sword out of Gabrielle's sai. The Southeast Queen's next move was something rather sudden. She'd pulled back her left fist and went to punch Gabrielle in her face and succeeded in doing so.

Gabrielle had stumbled back shaking her head trying to let her vision become stable again. But her body prickled at her right side and she placed her sai there to stop a sword. Her vision came back to normal and she quickly gave Mairead a taste of a punch. The small warrior's left hand connected with Mairead's face with the sai's butt end.

It didn't quite bother the Southeast Queen as much. She easily shook it off and went on attack against Gabrielle. That punch in the face from earlier only seemed to enflame Gabrielle's anger. Right after Mairead's attack, Gabrielle went full force on her offensive side. She gave attack after attack against Mairead. But the Amazon was able to stop all the attacks. She was a bit taken aback by all these attacks but she let it go. For she knew Gabrielle would run out of energy and she could use that.

And she had. Gabrielle quickly wore herself out and Mairead took this advantage. She did a number of thrust and attacks on Gabrielle and a few lunges. The Southeast Queen saw her opponent just barley making the parries and stops. Mairead then gave a hard swipe at Gabrielle's right side. As soon as Gabrielle stopped the blow Mairead gave a kick with her right foot and hit Gabrielle in the lower abdomen.

The Central Queen went stepping back coughing as she bent forward. Gabrielle wouldn't leave it at that for she raised back up and came at Mairead with her eyes flashing. It was a purely stupid move because Gabrielle only found herself hit in the stomach again and flying through the air onto her back. She closed her eyes as her vision swam. Her sais rolled out of her hands and she opened her eyes at hearing boot steps come up near her.

Mairead smirked down at the other Queen. "Nice try. Next time don't be so stupid with your anger." She shook her head the strolled off the sparring field.

Gabrielle coughed, carefully rolled to her right and got up on one knee. She reached for her sais putting them into her boots. Gradually she stood up and felt her stomach pitch at the movement. There was a small pain in her abdomen but she tried to ignore it.

Xena came jogging up to her partner's side. "Gabrielle?"

The Queen gazed up to her Soulmate with cold eyes. "Yeah?"

"You feel okay?" The warrior's left hand came up to the smaller woman's right arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Gabrielle brushed off her Soulmate and walked pass her. She was so angry at herself now that she couldn't even talk to her partner. She was too worried she'd say something stupid to Xena.

The warrior stared at her Soulmate's back and she felt an anger in herself. That's was the other way she knew Gabrielle was fuming over her loss. So she came right up behind Gabrielle and grabbed her by the right arm. "Follow me." The warrior's voice was hard and stern.

The younger woman nodded. "Okay." She sensed Xena's release of her arm. She quickly walked behind Xena following her.

The warrior went straight to and through the village to the stables. Xena stopped and turned to her partner and removed her cloak. She came up to a well near the stables, tossed Gabrielle's cloak to the ground, and let the buck go down. As it went down Xena gazed over at her partner that just stood there in anger. "What'd you do wrong?"

Gabrielle exploded. "Gods! If I hadn't been so gods be damn stupid I could beat the damn bitch." She took a deep breath and started pacing back and forth with a stomp. "Did you hear her Xena? I gods I could just beat the living daylights out of that Amazon." Gabrielle growled. "If I hadn't let my anger get the best of me I could have beat her." She whirled around at Xena. "I'm so stupid!" As soon as she said that she found a waterfall of cold water hit her and drench her.

Xena held the bucket in her hands with a last single drop of water falling off the rim of the wood bucket to the ground. After she tossed the water at her partner, she placed the bucket on the well and stared at her Soulmate.

Gabrielle's head bobbed up and down as she touched the back of her molars with her tongue. The water still dripping down her body. She lifted her right hand up to brush back her wet hair. She was still thinking about her challenge against Mairead. "I need another one."

The warrior nodded and dropped the bucket down on the well again. It was quickly filled as Gabrielle was pacing again with anger in her stride. Xena pulled the bucket out of the well and tossed all the water onto her Soulmate as she turned around to face Xena.

The Amazon Queen let the cold water slide down her body as she shut her eyes. She took deep breaths and let her body relaxed.

Xena watched as she leaned against the well with one hand. Inside she felt her anger calm back down. She then smiled when Gabrielle opened her eyes to her again. "Feel better?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah." She lifted both her hands to brush back her wet hair. "Thanks."

The older woman nodded her head. "No problem."

"Sorry about that." The small warrior sighed and stepped up to her partner still feeling the water trickle down her body. "I shouldn't have brushed you off like that."

"It's okay, I think you didn't want to say anything bad to me."

Gabrielle nodded. "I figured I would since I was so anger." She took a long breath and let it escape from her lips at a gradual pace. "Now I'm cold." A chuckled came now.

The warrior nodded and turned to her right to lean down and pick up the wool and leather cloak of Gabrielle's. Turning back around Xena put the cloak back on her Soulmate. "Better?"

The Queen nodded. "Yeah." A sigh. "I wonder if Ephiny wants me to fight Caitriona now or later?"

"Let's go find out."

So they had, the Soulmate found out from the regent that Gabrielle's challenge wasn't till the early afternoon. The rest of the morning the Queen tried to relax and ate an early lunch before her final challenge.

Gabrielle smiled. "So how did you beat Mairead?"

Queen Caitriona grinned and took a step back. "I just caught her on an off day." She reached behind to draw her Amazon sword. "Prepared?"

The small warrior nodded her head while stepping back. "Anytime."

The other Queen nodded and spun her sword in her hand. She went serious as she began to make a circle.

Gabrielle did the same and had her hands in front of her body, she was waiting for Queen Caitriona to make the first move.

The West Queen swiped over Gabrielle's head. Gabrielle had bent down to one knee and unsheathed her sais. She came back up to stop a sword blow that came near her side. Caitriona then stabbed towards her opponent's chest but missed. The Central Queen had leaned to her right out of the way. She then went on attack with her sais trying to get an opening on the other Queen.

The challenge between the two Queens rushed on. Both bouncing back and forth between offense and defense. Neither seeming to find and opening in the other's defense. But then Queen Caitriona got lucky, her sword swiped at Gabrielle's left leg just cutting her upper outside thigh.

Gabrielle moved back with a growl and saw the other women bringing her sword down at her. She flipped her sais up and stopped the blade above her head with her sais. How she wanted to do that trick Xena had taught her from a week ago. But she had no strength right now. Then it hit her like a earthquake. Gabrielle's stomach erupted into pain and she lost her strength.

Queen Caitriona slipped her sword out of Gabrielle's sais and quickly took the distraction. She gave a hard kick to Gabrielle's stomach and saw the young woman fall to her back.

The small warrior though wouldn't let this happen again. She gritted her teeth against the pain in her stomach. She rolled to her right and quickly sprung to her feet. "Caitriona, I'm not that easy."

The West Queen's eyes widen and without thinking she thrust forward with her sword.

Gabrielle let the sword's blade go past her right side and she shifted forward with her sais tips going against the other Queen's throat. She felt her body press against the other Queen's, her eyes narrowing at Caitriona.

Queen Caitriona stared into flashing green eyes. Her right arm still was straight out from her attack. She didn't want to shift for if she did she feared the sais would pierce her throat.

Gabrielle saw the fear in the other woman's amber eyes. "Yield?" A pain shot in Gabrielle's stomach but she tried to ignore it.

Caitriona nodded. "I yield to Queen Gabrielle."

The Central Queen nodded and pulled back her sais while taking a step back.

The other Queen lowered her sword and held out her hand with a smile. "Nice come back."

Gabrielle smiled. "Thanks, just barely." She took the female's hand and they shook.

Queen Caitriona walked off the sparring fields.

The small warrior watched her disappear in the Amazons that had been watching. The pain in her stomach came back with a hard blow. Gabrielle closed her eyes and tried to will the pain to stop. A set of warm hands grasped her arms carefully.

"Gabrielle?"

"Oh gods." Gabrielle's eyes only tightened. She'd heard Xena's concern voice. Her eyes opened again. She bent down to one knee and placed her sais away. But she couldn't stand back up right away she slowly stood back up. Another shot of pain came to her stomach and that's when she knew she was going to throw up.

Gabrielle sprinted off the sparring field without a word into the nearing woods. She bent down beside a tree and let her stomach empty.

Xena sprinted after her Soulmate, she could feel her own stomach aching. But she knew it was nothing compared to what Gabrielle was feeling.

The Queen straightened back up as she sat on her knees. Her arms wrapped around her stomach. Her stomach was empty but now she tasted blood in her mouth. So she spit some of it out.

The warrior bent down to one knee beside Gabrielle. And reached over frantically with her hands to her Soulmate's face. She saw some of the blood on the sides of Gabrielle's lips.

Gabrielle had shut her eyes again against the pain in her lower abdomen. "Xena… oh gods it's so much pain." She bent forward and tried to curl up.

Ephiny broke through the sparring field into the woods, she'd seen the challenge and what happened afterwards. She ran through the woods to spot Xena and Gabrielle down on the ground.

"Okay, come here Gabrielle." Xena's eyes were wide with worry and she was breathing hard. She wasn't sure exactly what happened but had an idea. She wrapped her arms around Gabrielle and lifted her up against her chest. The warrior then stood up with her Soulmate in her arms.

"What happened?" The regent stopped as she came up to their sides.

Xena quickly looked to Ephiny. "I'm not sure. Go get Eilis and bring her to our hut."

Ephiny nodded. "Hang in there Gabrielle." She turned to the village and broke off in a sprint for the Healer's Hut.

The warrior started jogging into the village with Gabrielle tight in her arms. Xena peered down at her Soulmate. "To many hits to your stomach?"

Gabrielle had her eyes shut tightly. She nodded faintly and pressed her head into her warrior's shoulder as the pain came ripping through again. "Oh gods." Gabrielle's words came out in a sharp pain tone. Her grip on Xena's other shoulder tightened extremely.

That only made Xena begin to run into the village. She whipped past a bunch of shocked Amazons all wondering what happened. But the warrior went to their hut and kicked the door open with anger. She shifted over to the bed and laid Gabrielle on the bed carefully. She rushed to her med. kit and pulled it out. Soon she was back at Gabrielle's side. "Okay where's the pain Gabrielle?"

The Queen still had her eyes closed and slowly opened them. "Lower abdomen." She rasped it out and sucked in a deep breath. The pain was still going on. "It feels like killer cramps."

Xena nodded and opened her medical kit. "Just take deep breaths. Still tasting blood?" She looked up to see Gabrielle nodded and the warrior lowered her head back down to the kit as she sifted through it looking for something.

That's when Eilis came rushing in with the regent behind. Eilis came up on the other side of the bed and placed her medical kit on the bed. "What's going on?"

"Gabrielle took several blows to her lower stomach." The warrior kept searching in her medical bag for something and not finding it. "Hades."

Eilis opened her medical kit and pulled out. "Xena I have the coca. You have any asafetida?"

The warrior kept searching and found a small jar of a gum-like medicine labeled asafetida. "Yeah." She pulled it out.

"Okay perfect." Eilis was pulling out a bag of white powder as she spoke. "I'll give her the coca to stop the pain and then the asafetida to stop the convulsions if need be."

Xena nodded. "I'll get the water for you." She pulled out a small cup and rushed into the wash room.

Eilis looked back to Ephiny. "Help Gabrielle."

The regent nodded, she knew what that meant. She moved up to Gabrielle's side and grabbed the Queen's hand. "Hey Gabrielle, you'll be fine."

Gabrielle nodded, her eyes still shut tight. Then a large amount of pain came and she screamed.

Xena raced out of the washroom with the cup of water. She came over to Eilis.

Eilis held out a bowl of a white powered to Xena. The warrior poured the water into the bowl. Eilis then mixed the water and coca together producing a cloudy liquid. Xena went into Eilis medical kit to pull out a sort of needle looking object. It had a sharp point and a top that could be moved up and down to suck in or extract a liquid in the middle of a glass tube. The warrior placed the sharp point into the coca mix and pulled the top up to let the center fill with the cloudy liquid.

Xena moved over to Gabrielle's right arm that Ephiny held. She peered up to Gabrielle's face to see it in pain. She then brought the needle's point to Gabrielle's mid arm and let it pierce her Soulmate's skin and she pushed the top down to let the cloudy liquid enter into Gabrielle's system. Slowly she removed the needle's point from the skin. Xena gazed over at Eilis. "We need to put her to sleep. The pain is to much."

The healer nodded and quickly sifted through her bag to find another but yellow powder of opium poppy. She quickly placed it into the bowel and rushed into the washroom to fill it with water. She came back out while mixing the opium with the water. Eilis came up to Xena's side.

The warrior with her fingers wiped the needle and placed it into the bowl and lifts the top up to suck the yellow liquid in. She then shifted back to Gabrielle and let the needle pierce Gabrielle's skin again but more at the upper arm.

Gabrielle felt herself go shaky from the opium poppy in her body. The pain in her stomach seemed to take one last stab at her and it was a strong one. She screamed hard and clenched Ephiny's hand with force.

Xena reached across to her Soulmate's other hand holding it tight. "Relax Gabrielle. Let the opium and coca work on you."

The Queen nodded and she took a deep breath.

"That's it, relax for me Gabrielle. You'll be fine." Xena saw the beads of sweat on her partner's forehead. "Let go. The drugs will take care of the pain."

Gabrielle's body loosened up and her eyes weren't shut as tight. She took long breaths and released them slowly. She still felt the pain in her lower abdomen.

"Just hang in there Gabrielle. I'm right here, nothing is going to happen." Xena squeezed her Soulmate's hand in a second then loosened her hold. She felt Gabrielle returned the squeeze and that made her smile. "There go love. You'll be fine, just go to sleep."

The small warrior heard her partner's soothing voice and it relaxed her. Her body less focused on the pain and she felt her breathing become shallow. Gabrielle then let go and felt herself go to sleep.

Xena felt her Soulmate's grip on her hand loosen and saw Gabrielle breathing slowly. Xena released her small warrior's hand and turned to the healer. "She'll be fine."

Eilis nodded. "Is there anything you'll need Xena?"

The Warrior Princess shook her head. "No I can handle the rest. Thanks for your help Eilis." She then lifted her left hand with the needle. "Good thing you have one."

Eilis took the needle with a smile. "Hard to get but it's very helpful." Turning to her medical kit she placed the needle back inside and her powders. She closed the bag up and took it off the bed giving Xena her attention again. "Let me know how she does. I'd give her that asafetida if her stomach starts up again."

Xena nodded. "I will."

"You have any coca and opium?"

The warrior nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

Eilis smiled. "Anytime. Take care of her. I'll come by to check on her." She then ambled over to the door.

"Bye Eilis and thank you again." Xena watched Eilis leave. She then turned to Ephiny.

The regent stared down at Gabrielle. "What happened Xena?" The Amazon peered up to the taller woman.

Xena stared down at her Soulmate as she responded. "I'm not positive. But… Gabrielle knows what happened."

Ephiny turned her head to her friend now. She still held Gabrielle's hand. "Hades I'll kill Mairead if she had anything to do with it."

The warrior gazed at the regent. "Eph, it just happened. Nothing can be done about it now."

The regent nodded. "You're right." She sighed and released her friend's hand. "Tell me when she's up Xena." She then grinned. "Or she feels like seeing me."

Xena grinned. "I will. Thank you Ephiny."

The Amazon nodded and walked out of the hut and glanced sidelong to Xena. "See you Xena." She walked out of the door and closed it behind with a sigh. Ephiny then headed towards the Amazon Camp.

The warrior looked away from the door to her Soulmate. She leaned down a placed a gentle kiss to Gabrielle's lips then rose back up. Walking to the opposite side, she took her medical kit and lifted it to place on the opposite side of the bed. Xena then padded into the washroom and soon came back out with a wet cloth.

The wet cloth was carefully placed on the small nick wound on Gabrielle's right thigh. It was pressed hard for a minute then Xena began to carefully wipe the wound clean. After that she pulled out some balm to neatly rub it into the wound to keep it clean. Lifting the cloth, she took it back to the washroom and came to the bed again. The warrior took the medical kit and put it away. Xena shifted over to the table and picked up a chair and moved it next to the bed. She sat down in the seat and sat back in it and thought about what could have happened to her partner.

She took a long breath and let it fill her lungs fully then she released it slowly. Turning her head to her right, she opened her sea green eyes. And what she found was her smiling Soulmate sitting in a chair.

"How you feel?"

Gabrielle did a mental check of her body then answered. "Better."

Xena stood up from her chair and moved to sit on the bed gently beside her Soulmate. "Sleep alright?"

"Yeah." The small warrior then knitted her eyebrows together. "How long did I sleep for?"

The warrior shrugged her shoulders. "Two candlemarks."

"And you were sitting there the entire time?"

Xena grinned. "Why wouldn't I be?" She placed her right over top of her partner's right hand. "I was to worried."

The Queen frowned. "Sorry for the scare."

"Not your fault." For emphasize, Xena squeezed her Soulmate's hand.

"I know." Gabrielle's eyes drifted away but came back to Xena. "I should have known this was coming."

"It happens Gabrielle. I'm just glad you're okay." The warrior released her partner's hand and stood up. "Speaking of which I need to do something."

The small warrior gazed up to her warrior. "What do you need to do?"

Xena faced the small woman's stomach and brought her hands to rest lightly on Gabrielle's stomach. "I'm going to test your stomach area. Tell me if anything hurts okay?"

The younger woman nodded. "Okay."

The Warrior Princess turned her attention back to her friend's stomach. She shifted her hands to Gabrielle's upper stomach, right under her ribs. Xena pressed her hands down and pushed against her Soulmate's stomach.

"Nothing."

The warrior nodded and moved her hands down to Gabrielle's mid stomach. She did the samething and pressed while pushing some. "Now?"

"Hurts a little."

Again a nod and Xena brought her hands to the other woman's lower abdomen. Her hands pressed down while pushing back and forth. She quickly heard a hiss of pain from Gabrielle.

The Queen gritted her teeth. "Right there." Her eyes shut. "Oh gods."

Xena had lifted her hands from her partner's stomach. She gazed down at Gabrielle to see her still fighting the pain. So the warrior brought her right hand up to hold Gabrielle's. "Take deep breaths Gabrielle. Relax and you'll be fine."

Gabrielle held tight to her Soulmate's hand. Her eyes were still closed tightly and she took deep breaths while relaxing her body. Slowly the pain faded away till there was a hidden lurking pain. Her eyes opened once more. "Well… what's that mean?"

The warrior was serious. "You're bleeding internally."

The smaller woman went stiff in the bed and felt fear wash over her. "Xena."

Xena squeezed her Soulmate's hand tightly and smiled in comfort. "It's not bad I don't think. Are you still tasting blood?"

"Just a hint."

Xena nodded. "You'll be fine. Your organs are have been bruised mainly and slightly bleeding from all those blows." She took a deep breath herself. "You just need to rest."

Gabrielle closed her eyes then opened them again. "How long?"

"Until your stomach doesn't hurt."

"How long Xena?"

The warrior looked away with a sigh. She glanced back to Gabrielle. "A week minimum."

"Xena, I can't."

"You will." Xena's voice came out stern with no questioning her words. "I'm not going to let you get hurt more."

"I know." The Queen closed her eyes. "Hades."

The warrior placed her left hand on her partner's cheek. Gabrielle had opened her eyes and Xena smiled warmly. "You first before this Nation."

"Thank you." Gabrielle smiled sadly. "I just…"

"Wanted to win these challenges. I know Gabrielle. Maybe you'll be able to do them later." Xena then moved her fingertips to glide over the smooth lips then go under her friend's chin. "We need to figure out how this happened."

"It's all from the kicks I got to my stomach."

"How many?"

The small woman's eyes unfocused as she tried to remember. "I think it was… three or four." Her eyes focused on Xena again. "It couldn't have taken only four Xena."

The warrior nodded. "No." She lifted her head to stare at the headboard of the bed. Now her eyes went unfocused. "When did you first stop feeling hungry?"

"Um… before we got here. Right after we saved that village."

Xena didn't respond instead she thought about those five days of traveling. She tried to remember what happened during that fight they had against the raiders. Then the memory hit her out of a blind spot.

Xena's sword sliced through the raider's chest. She watched him fall to the dirt ground then for some reason she felt the need to turn around. As she did she spun her sword in her hand. Once she turned around her eyes widen at the scene behind her. She'd just seen Gabrielle fly through the air and slam into a horseback man. Them both tumbling to the ground and the raider punching Gabrielle unconscious. That's when the warrior broke out into a sprint after the raider that stood over her best friend. As she ran towards the raider she saw him kick Gabrielle hard in the lower abdomen. Gabrielle's unconscious body coming up off the ground for a moment from the blow then falling back down in a limp load.

"Xena?"

The warrior shook her head of her memory and gazed back down to Gabrielle. The scene flashed to her again. As she ran towards the raider she saw him kick Gabrielle hard in the lower abdomen. Gabrielle's unconscious body coming up off the ground for a moment from the blow then falling back down in a limp load. "The raider."

Gabrielle furrowed her eyebrows. "What raider?"

Xena's eyes narrowed. "Remember the raider on horseback in that village that you stop?"

"Oh couldn't I?" The Queen grinned but she saw Xena still serious so she went serious again. "What about him Xena?"

"After he punched you unconscious he kicked you in the stomach hard."

The small woman shut her eyes. "Hades, I should have known." Her eyes drifted open again. "My stomach was killing me when I first woke up in that healer's hut."

"Why didn't you tell me Gabrielle?"

"Because I wasn't worried about it at the time." Gabrielle shook her head. "Didn't matter."

"But the fight did? Gabrielle you should have told me."

Gabrielle whispered, "I'm sorry."

Xena sighed. "No, it's over with." She smiled. "I just really worry about you."

The younger woman let a smile take shape. "I know. I'll be more careful." She squeezed her Soulmate's hand.

"Thank you." Xena leaned down and placed a warm kiss to her partner's lips. She raised back up with a gentle smile. "I need you to take something for me. Think you can handle it?"

Gabrielle nodded. "I'll try."

"Good." Xena released her small warrior's hands and stood up from the bed. She walked over to their saddlebags where she'd placed the med. kit back. Xena pulled out a spoon and a small jar of a yellow syrupy liquid. Shifting back to the bed, she gazed down at her partner. "Can you sit up?"

The Queen tried and slowly lifted herself but felt a shot of pain. She shut her eyes in response.

The Warrior Princess dropped the spoon and jar to the bed and reached down with both hands to Gabrielle's upper sides. She easily supported the smaller female. "Breathe."

Gabrielle took a deep breath and nodded.

Xena carefully pushed her Soulmate back against the headboard. "Okay relax now."

Slowly the younger woman did and she opened her eyes again. "Not so bad now."

The older woman smiled. "Good." She reached down to the jar and spoon again. She took the jar's top off and lifted the spoon. Slowly the yellow liquid was pour into the spoon till it was filled. Xena then gazed back to her partner with a grin. "This will taste good."

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow. "Gods."

"Ready?"

"No, just go."

The warrior just quietly laughed and brought the spoon full of syrupy medicine to Gabrielle's lips.

The Queen took the stuff in as she smelled it as well. The taste exploded in her mouth and she almost wanted to spit it back out. But she forced it down into her system with a big swallow. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "That is foul Xena."

Xena lifted the spoon away. "I know, sorry. It'll help though."

"What was it?" The small warrior raised her head back up as her eyes opened once again.

"Arnica, it'll help with the internal bruising and bleeding." Now the jar's top was on again and Xena was putting the medicine and spoon away. "You should try to go back to sleep. Best thing right now."

"What you going to do?"

"Go see Ephiny and Eilis for a few minutes." Xena walked back over to the bed.

Gabrielle sighed with a nod. "Alright." She gazed up to her partner. "This was bad timing."

"It was." A sad smile took Xena's lips. "Just be glad it wasn't worse huh?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle's eyes fell to her lap then came back up to Xena. "Xen?"

"Yeah love?"

"Don't take long okay?" The Queen crossed her arms in her lap lightly. "I'm scared of this." She'd ushered that.

Xena bent down to one knee to be eye level. "You'll be fine, I promise okay?"

Gabrielle nodded. "I do."

The warrior smiled warmly and got one back. She then leaned forward to hug Gabrielle lightly. And as they hugged Xena carefully lowered her Soulmate onto the bed again. Gradually the warrior pulled back but placed a kiss to Gabrielle's forehead and stood up. "Go back to sleep huh?"

"I will."

"Good." Xena shifted down to the foot of the bed. She reached forward and untied Gabrielle's boots and placed them on the floor while placing the sais on the table. Coming back over to the bed, she helped slip the covers over her friend's body. "I'll come back soon as I can."

"Thanks Xena." The young woman's lips shaped into a loving smile.

Xena reflected the smile back. "No problem love." She lowered her lips down to claims Gabrielle's. She sensed her Soulmate's small hand on her cheek. A very fine tint of blood was in the kiss, which made Xena's stomach turn in worryment. Pulling back she still had that smile. "Sleep well."

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle chuckled as she watched her Soulmate amble over to the door.

The warrior opened the door a peered back. "Bye."

"See you Xena."

Xena lowered her head and walked through the doorway going into the cloudy day. She closed the door quietly behind and headed directly down to the sparring fields to find Ephiny.